The Humble Administrator's Garden
Located at 178 Northeast Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, the Humble Administrator's Garden is a typical example of a private garden in the Jiangnan region of China. It is considered one of the four most famous gardens in China, along with the Lingering Garden in Suzhou, the Summer Palace in Beijing, and the Mountain Resort in Chengde. Below is a detailed introduction to the Humble Administrator's Garden:
History
- Ming Dynasty: In 1509, the imperial censor Wang Xianchen returned home and began constructing the Humble Administrator's Garden, which was initially completed in 1513. In 1631, Wang Xinyi, the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, purchased the wasteland in the eastern part of the garden and built a garden there. In 1635, he completed the "Returning to the Fields Garden," which is now the eastern section of the Humble Administrator's Garden.
- Qing Dynasty: After the Qing army occupied Suzhou in 1653, the Humble Administrator's Garden was used as a military camp and horse farm. It changed hands several times and underwent numerous renovations and reconstructions. In 1860, the Taiping army captured Suzhou, and Li Xiucheng combined the central and western parts of the Humble Administrator's Garden to build the Loyal King's Mansion.
- Republican Period: In 1911, the garden became an open recreational space. It was later used as a hospital for infectious diseases, a drug rehabilitation center, and a district office. In 1937, the Japanese army bombed Suzhou, causing significant damage to the Humble Administrator's Garden.
- After the Founding of the People's Republic of China: In 1951, the Humble Administrator's Garden was placed under the management of the Southern Jiangsu Cultural Relics Management Committee. After renovations, the central and western parts were opened to the public in 1952. The restoration and construction of the entire garden were completed in 1960.
Garden Layout
- East Garden: Covering an area of about 31 mu (approx. 5 acres), the East Garden features a pastoral style, with attractions such as the Orchid Snow Hall, Hibiscus Pavilion, Heavenly Spring Pavilion, and Adorned Cloud Peak. Rolling hills, pine forests, grasslands, and bamboo groves interspersed with winding streams are dotted with scenic buildings.
- Central Garden: The essence of the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Central Garden covers an area of about 18.5 mu (approx. 3 acres), with the pond occupying one-third of the space. The pond is vast and surrounded by lush trees, with various buildings arranged along the water's edge, such as the Distant Fragrance Hall, the Wutong Bamboo Retreat, the Snow Fragrance Cloud Pavilion, and the Listening to the Rain Pavilion.
- West Garden: The pond is L-shaped, with pavilions and terraces scattered around it. The main building is the 36 Mandarin Duck Hall, located near the residential area. Other buildings include the Lingering Listening Pavilion and the Pagoda Shadow Pavilion. The winding corridors, reflecting water, and ornate decorations create a beautiful scene.
- Residential Area: Now the Garden Museum exhibition hall, this area showcases typical Suzhou residential architecture.
Main Attractions
- Orchid Snow Hall: The main hall in the East Garden, its name is derived from Li Bai's poem, "Standing alone between heaven and earth, the clear wind sprinkles orchid snow." Two white-bark pines stand tall and ancient in front of the hall, and green bamboos grow along the wall.
- Distant Fragrance Hall: The main building in the Central Garden, it is a four-sided hall built facing the water, with a single-eaved hip-and-gable roof. The platform to the north of the hall is spacious, and the pond is vast and clear. The lotus pond is wide, and in summer, the lotus flowers bloom, emitting a delicate fragrance.
- Small Flying Rainbow: A covered bridge with vermilion railings that reflect in the water like a rainbow, it is one of the classic scenes in the Humble Administrator's Garden.
- 36 Mandarin Duck Hall: The main building in the West Garden, it is a Mandarin Duck Hall. The south hall is called the "18 Mandala Flower Hall," and the north hall is called the "36 Mandarin Duck Hall." The hall is exquisitely decorated, and the pond outside the window is often filled with mandarin ducks, making it a great place to observe them.